IMEI: Unknown ICCID: Unknown need to restore but how?

Question

Level 1

6 points

IMEI: Unknown ICCID: Unknown need to restore but how?

My Iphone 3GS is displaying a message IMEI: Unknown ICCID: Unknown and will not allow me to get past the lock screen on the phone. I also have a message that says that I have to restore through Itunes but when I plug the phone in Itunes cannot access the phone b/c of my password protection. I only have the option to make emergency calls and have no option to unlock the phone. I have tried multiple resets and have removed and replaced the sim card. What do I do?

iphone 3GS, Windows 7

Posted on Dec 16, 2010 6:05 AM

Reply

Answer 1

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Dec 16, 2010 6:23 AM in response to Dlocks

See if you can force the phone into recovery mode:

Leave the USB cable connected to your computer, but NOT your phone, itunes running, press & hold the home button while connecting the USB cable to your dock connector, continue holding the home button until you see “Connect to iTunes” on the screen. You may now release the home button. iTunes should now display that it has detected your phone in recovery mode, if not quit and reopen iTunes. If you still don’t see the recovery message repeat these steps again. iTunes will give you the option to restore from a backup or set up as new.

Post back if this does not work & I'll suggest one more step before suggesting you make an appointment at an Apple store.

Reply

Answer 2

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Dec 16, 2010 6:37 AM in response to Dlocks

You're welcome.

If you can't force the phone into recovery mode you can try DFU mode:

1. Close iTunes.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and then launch iTunes.
3. Turn your iPhone off (hold down the power button at the top of the iPhone).
4. Then, hold down the sleep/wake button and home button together for EXACTLY 10 SECONDS, then release the sleep/wake button.
5. Continue to hold down the Home button until a message appears in iTunes telling you an iPhone in recover mode has been detected. When you are in DFU mode your iPhone screen will be completely black. Remember that if you see the restore logo, iTunes logo, or any message on the iPhone screen, you are not in DFU mode but standard Recovery Mode.
6. Hit the OK message that should popup to restore your phone.

Bear in mind, you could very well have suffered a hardware failure. IMEI & ICCID unknown are indicative of a hardware failure. You will not be able to restore your phone if, in fact, it has suffered a hardware failure. Your next step would be to make an appointment at an Apple store.

Reply

Answer 3

Dlocks Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 16, 2010 6:56 AM in response to wjosten

Again thank you. I was able to get to the restore option but when I began to restore I got a message that an unknown error occured (1601). Do you know anything about this? Is this indicative of the hardware failure you mentioned and even if I bring it in to the apple store is something like that worth fixing?

Reply

Answer 4

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Dec 16, 2010 7:06 AM in response to Dlocks

Error 1601 is not a hardware failure. If you have access to another computer, try restoring on a different computer. Also, make sure you are using a high powered USB port directly on your computer, no hubs or keyboards. If using a desktop computer, use a USB port on the back of the computer.

Last resort, make an appointment at an Apple store & see if the geniuses can restore your phone.

Reply

Answer 5

Dlocks Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 16, 2010 2:25 PM in response to wjosten

Tried all suggestions with the last one getting me a little closer. The phone starts the restore process but during the restoring iphone firmware phase it doesn't complete the task and now gives a "Unknown error occurred (1013). I have tried it a couple of times now and it appears to get near the end of the process according to the status bar on the phone. I looked up the message number and cannot find the specifics on that error. Of course I have the error messagess that aren't listed.

Reply

Answer 6

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Dec 16, 2010 2:30 PM in response to Dlocks

Hmmm...1013 is in fact a hardware failure. At this point, there are only two things left to try: 1. Try to restore again on a DIFFERENT computer, or 2. Make an appointment at an Apple store. The geniuses can tell instantly if your phone has suffered a hardware failure. If under warranty, they will replace on the spot. If out of warranty, Apple has an out of warranty replacement program. Cost is $199.

Reply

Answer 7

Dlocks Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 16, 2010 2:46 PM in response to wjosten

$199, jeez hopefully thats a new phone but I'm willing to bet it'll be a refurb. Maybe it's time to switch to a Driod. Thanks for the help. Crazy thing is I took care of this phone, never dropped and never wet and only got a year and two months out of it. I've had other phones that weren't treated so well that never had a problem and would last well past my renewal date.

Reply

Answer 8

Dlocks Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 17, 2010 10:37 AM in response to Dlocks

Went to the apple store and they said that it was a hardware problem. The customer service there was exceptional I must say. Sticking with Apple. Even though I had to wait for a bit the service rep was very personable and happy to assist me and he took care of the problem in about 5-10 minutes!

Reply

Answer 9

Feb 26, 2011 1:32 PM in response to Dlocks

Hey Dlocks, I too am facing the same problem with my Iphone 3GS stuck in recovery mode with an information of imei and iccid unknown. Tried to upgrade from iOS 4.1 to 4.2 but it failed throwing an "error 1002". Communicating with an Apple agent via a telephone (no apple store in India as such) got the idea it may be a HW fault and can only be replaced.
Now what exactly did they do to your bricked iPhone. Replace/Repair ?? Because if I've read your posts right, it says you had to wait for 10-12 minutes while they attended your problem. Please help me I want to know more about it.

Reply

Answer 10

Jun 22, 2011 4:07 AM in response to wjosten

Hi, after using the phone for several hours my carrier crashes and after i reboot my device i get to see the iTunes logo and when i press the sign it shows;

IMEI: UNKNOWN

ICCID: UNKNOWN

When i reconnected the iPhone several times, iTunes will activate the phone.

The phone is bought at a local retail store, and is factory unlocked. If i restore it with iOS 4.2.1. it works for a few hours and after that it stops again.

Reply

Answer 11

Dlocks Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 16, 2011 10:54 AM in response to Dlocks

Sorry to all persons on this thread as I haven't been on this forum since I had the phone issue. Now I have a separate issue with my new phone but....

When I brought my iphone to the apple store the tech explained that I had a hardward malfunction. He offered me a refurbished iphone 3Gs which is what I had. I made the trade and was on my way. From what I understand the repair couldn't be made at the store.

So good luck to all with this problem...take it to the store and see what they will do for you.

Reply

Answer 12

Aug 19, 2011 2:17 PM in response to Dlocks

Hello,

I had the same problem, but I live in Brazil, where things can be more complicated because of the weak consumer laws and everything.

I called the Apple Store but they said that it had to be dealt with the "telephone company" store. I went there and they told me that I had to seek Apple Store.

Than I called to the "Telephone company" (I dont know the right term in english, sorry) and they asked me to call BrightStar international, which finally asked me to send the iphone by mail.

I did that, but after 20 days they replied me that the phone's housing was "damaged" and, in that case, it looses warranty!

That is an absurd, because the phone was in almost perfect state!!!

I have the apple developer program account, but now, because of this situation I am not able to develop for iPhone anymore! The phone is still in the hands of BrightStar, which is maybe a corrupt company only devoted to steal from thousands of brazilians that same way they stoled from me. They simply say that the iphone housing is damaged and that way don't need to repair any device!

But I will not give up. I will fight for my rights.

I would like to know if it is a hardware failure or software. Does anyone know the real reason for this failure? I've read that this is an update that Apple did without warning and that suddenly corrupts the device. Is it truth?

Sorry about the bad english.

Thank you.

Reply

Answer 13

Nov 20, 2011 5:28 AM in response to Dlocks

Hello
I he came to the same problem was repaired and is now the device works well
This problem is not the problem of programming
I got the problem after you change your network PF
Then prepared by programming device in iTunes
He now works well.

Sorry about the bad english.

Thank you

Reply